Category: Pakistan

Islamabad (Muhammad Yasir)

To reinforce their commitment towards inclusions of persons with disabilities in every segment of life, be it economic, social or developmental, Sightsavers, HANDS and other stakeholders organized a National Conference of Community Based Inclusive Development Network (CBIDN) at a local hotel in Islamabad. The theme for this year conference is Paradigm of Development, Economy and Equity: Unsolved Dilemma of Inclusion and Social Mainstreaming.

Faisal Karim Kundi, Minister of State on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety graced the occasion as chief guest. While speaking at the occasion, he appreciated the role of CBID network in ensuring inclusion of persons with disabilities in the developmental process and ensured his commitment towards effective representation of Persons with Disabilities in the parliament. He highlighted the importance of their work for registration of persons with disabilities and issuance of Special CNIC (SCNIC) so that they may avail resources from government beneficiary programs such as Benazir Income Support Program. He further said that we as a society needs to facilitate women in general and women with disabilities in particular through well-deserved financing through Benazir Income Support Program.

CBIDN member organizations requested the minister to connect social and economic safety programs such as Benazir Income Support Program with disability networks such as CBID and Organizations of People with e Disabilities (OPDs) that was very well received by the Minister of State.

Ms. Munazza Gillani, Country Director Sightsavers said Persons with Disabilities and their representative organizations should have a collective platform and space to discuss their opportunities, challenges, possibilities and solutions. There is a strong need to educate and sensitize the masses, policy makers and stakeholders. We need to focus more on opportunities than challenges and connect with the support out there.

Ms. Khem Phaokhamkeo, Project Manager ILES Application in Pakistan’s SMEs, ILO said we have many international conventions and recommendations to promote inclusive employment, and social protection of Persons with Disabilities. She focused on the importance and need to create employment service centers in Pakistan to connect the employers and the job seekers with special focus to provide income opportunities to persons with disabilities while protecting their rights.

Dr. Shaikh Tanveer Ahmed, Chief Executive HANDS said that few years ago there was no law for the protection of disability rights and opportunities for them, CBIDN made this possible and joined hands with the government to ensure development and implementation of related legislations. We are committed towards ensuring rights of persons with disabilities at all levels and implementation of laws and legislations.

Some of the key thematic areas that were discussed on the first day during different sessions of the conference were: Disability Inclusive Legislations and Policies, Status of Pakistan in alignment with Global and National Commitments, Gender Equity and Mainstreaming, Inclusive Employability /Economic Empowerment of persons with disabilities.

On the second of the conference, a special emphasis was placed on global treaties/conventions and Pakistan’s commitments by heads and representatives of different organizations such as HANDS, PPAF, WaterAid Pakistan, WHH Pakistan, AAR Japan, HelpAge, CBM and other development organizations.

Dr. M. Sarwat Mirza, National Coordinator CBIDN thanked the stakeholders, panelists and participants for their meaningful contribution towards making Pakistan a better place for persons with disabilities and ensured that they will continue their efforts for social and economic inclusion of persons with disability and fighting for disability rights.

Overall, the 10th CBIDN conference was a big success in terms of bringing together all stakeholders who are working for the empowerment of the persons with disabilities. The work of organisations of persons with disabilities was particularly showcased to sensitize and encourage the overall society on inclusive development.

Pakistan (Nut Desk)

Thousands of Pakistanis have signed an online petition seeking justice for Ahsan Anwar, a 21-year-old creative visual artist, who died in a road accident last month. Together with netizens which we saw celebrities like Farhan Saaed, Imran Abbass, Aima Baig, Bilal Saeed, Shahveer Jafery & Ukhano to name a few also took their Social media handles and showed their support in justice for Ahsan Anwar. The petition details how the negligence of authorities led to the unfortunate death of a bright young man and urges people to raise their voice against the violation of traffic rules. Below is the complete text of the petition launched by the famous film Director Adnan Qazi : On the 17th of December 2022 at 7.30 pm, my dear friend and colleague Ahsan Anwar, passed away in a highway accident. He was only 21 years old. 
Ahsan was travelling from Faisalabad to his village, near Tauba Tek Singh, when a tractor with two trolleys attached to it, both overloaded with sugarcane, was blocking the fast lane on the highway. There were no reflectors attached to the trolleys, or any indicator lights on the tractor. The overloaded sugarcane obstructed the driver’s field of view. It was too sudden, and too late for the driver to be able to do anything. As a result, Ahsan’s car crashed into the trolley. 
The trolley dragged Ahsan’s car for more than 100 mts. The tractor driver didn’t even know that there was a car attached to his trolley, until a guard from a petrol station stopped his tractor to inform him of the same. When Ahsan was dragged out of his car, he stood up for a second, took two breaths, and passed away on the spot. His aunt, sitting in the back seat, passed away too. 
This was no accident. This was sheer negligence on the behalf of the tractor driver, the highway and traffic authorities, and a blatant disregard of all the traffic laws. 
According to a WHO report published in 2020, 28,170 people have died from Road Traffic Accidents in Pakistan. 75% of whom were in their prime like Ahsan. What’s the point of having laws when no one follows them? When those who are supposed to implement them, look the other way? 
Here’s the thing. Yesterday it was Ahsan. Tomorrow, it could be anyone your friend your child or even yourself.  I request you all to sign the petition, and together, let’s make sure that the Laws are fully enforced and we make Pakistan’s roads safer for us and our loved ones.

 

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Nutshell Group hosted a lunch in the honor of newly elected members and governing body of the Karachi Press Club.  
 
Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, Founder & CEO of Nutshell Group, and former Minister of State & Chairman Board of Investment (BoI); Rabia Shoaib Ahmad, Director  & Chief Operating Officer; Air Chief Marshal (Rtd) Sohail Aman, Chief Executive Strategic Engagements; Major General (Rtd) Shahzad Naeem Khan, Chief Public Affairs Officer; Unaizah Ali, Chief Commercial Officer; and other senior members of the team hosted the event.
 
Expressing his views, Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, said, “Karachi Press Club is carrying out notable services for the media fraternity of Karachi. The democratic culture of this body is a commendable model to follow. As a passionate resident of Karachi, I want to reiterate that the city needs special attention from all stakeholders. We will all need to facilitate and support this megacity for it is the strongest financial pillar of Pakistan and the eclectic hub of cultures and diversity.”
 
The recently elected (unopposed) President of Karachi Press Club, Saeed Sarbazi, said, “Karachi Press Club is an important institution of this city. People from around the country come here to raise their voices against oppression and the KPC provides all essential facilitation to the oppressed groups. As President of this apex club, my resolve is to continue our efforts for the media fraternity and the betterment of Karachi.”  
 
Other members of the KPC team included Ehtesham Pasha, Treasurer KPC; Mushtaq Sohail, Vice President, KPC; members of governing body Farooq Sami, Shams Keerio, and Kulsoom Jahan. Former Secretaries of KPC Rizwan Bhatti and A.H. Khanzada also attended the event.  
 
Prominent members from civil society and corporate sector including former Federal Finance Minister, Miftah Ismail; Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh (SACM) for Media Affairs, Fahad Haroon; Former Federal Minister, Khushbakht Shujaat; Chairman TCS Group of Companies, Khalid Nawaz Awan; Prof. Dr. Huma Baqai, Rector, Millenium Institute of Technology and Entrepreneurship (MiTE); Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, President Indus Hospital; Ayla Raza, Founder Pakistan Music Conference; Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Chairman Baig Group and former Senior Vice President FPCCI; and senior journalists Ghazi Salahuddin, Khursheed Haider, and Shaheen Salahuddin were present at the occasion, amongst many other eminent guests from the public and private entities.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) The 10th edition of the much-loved Eat Festival 2023 in Karachi took place this weekend, and it was everything the much-loved event stands for- food, music, bringing people together and providing them with quality, wholesome entertainment. For the last ten years, the festival has worked with the ideology of reclaiming public spaces and uniting Karachiites over their love for food.

A total of 128 brands were on board for the festival this year. These ranged from fast food options, desi foods, pasta, and barbeques, to drinks, hot and cold beverages, and various dessert options. The people of our city by the sea showed up for the event in large numbers over all three days and extended their overwhelming support to the festival. The crowd that turns up on a Sunday during the festival was present on the ground on the first day. A staggering number of tickets were sold online, while tickets being sold at the venue had to be reprinted because they were sold out in record time. This showed us how, despite a much talked about downsized economy, the people of Karachi are willing to step out of their homes and spend their hard-earned cash on good quality entertainment.

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the Eat Festival is an event that creates a ripple effect in the country’s economy when it comes to employing and hiring a massive number of people. It is estimated that roughly 8000 are employed for the festival’s duration.

Karachi has limited options for entertainment, which is why the Eat Festival is the perfect opportunity to give people what they want. Apart from the food, there are musical performances by leading singing sensations that further attract the city’s music-loving segment. The festival enjoys a certain level of loyalty from the people of Karachi, primarily because it has a first-mover advantage and always delivers on people’s expectations.

With an event of such scale and magnitude, some things don’t always go as planned, and clearly, the crowd vandalism on the final evening leaves much to be desired. But that remains common with any other massive event across the world. However, the show must go on. See you next year!

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

PTI leader Chaudhry Aurangzeb from NA-137 Okara participated in a rally against coalition government demanding early elections. A protest rally led by PTI leader Chaudhry Aurangzeb from NA-137 Okara started from Alkabir-town farmhouse Lahore, crossing Akhtarabad, Sher Garh, Hujra Chowk, Insaf House Depalpur ended in Medina Chowk Depalpur. PTI workers and supporters participated in the rally. While addressing the participants of the rally, Chaudhry Aurangzeb criticized the coalition government saying that the country in on the verge of bankruptcy because of the looting of Zardari and Sharif led coalition government. An early election is the only solution and people of Okara district will keep on supporting the PTI leader Imran Khan.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), also known as Central Business District (CBD Punjab), has planned to build a Rainwater Harvesting Tank at Saint Marry Park Lahore. This initiative is a valuable addition to the authority’s existing project of CBD Punjab Boulevard and Kalma Chowk Underpass Remodeling. During a briefing session about the project Executive Director Technical PCBDDA, Mr. Riaz Hussain said, “The existing water storage tank at Kalma Chowk Underpass, is insufficient for catering an additional estimated 14 cusec rainwater from the two new barrels. The authority has planned to build a storage tank with a capacity of storing 300,000 gallons of water at Saint Marry Park, Lahore. This water will be filtered and reused in various ways, especially for irrigation of parks and horticulture”. He further added that the rainwater storage tank will have a huge positive impact on the environment as it will control water wastage, soil erosion, water pollution and will reduce inherent flooding issues. The water storage tank will give an adequate supply of water in case of any emergency and will be a major source of regaining groundwater level. CBD Punjab has already acquired the NOC for the construction of the water storage tank from the Parks And Horticulture Authority (PHA) Lahore, costing an amount of Rs 30.8 Million. According to the NOC, PHA will build new green belts after the completion of CBD Punjab Boulevard and Kalma Chowk Underpass Remodeling. Rainwater Harvesting Storage Tank follows CBD Punjab’s eco-friendly initiatives as the authority has a progressive strategy to save the environment and make Punjab clean and green.

Rural women working in agricultural fields are the largest contributors to the country,s economy but not counted and their rights are not protected  Study
National Launch of The Hands That Feed Us: Struggles of Women Agricultural Workers Rights in Pakistan.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Rural women working in agricultural fields are the largest contributors to the informal economy in Pakistan, but they are not acknowledged, counted and protected. These women have same rights as working women in cities but in remote areas there is no recognition of their contribution and rights. These thoughts were expressed by Kashmala Tariq, Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment at the national launch of study on women agricultural workers rights organized by Awaz-CDS Pakistan.

She also said that there is a strong need to implement laws already in place for women agricultural workers’ rights as they often earn less than men and are deprived of basic rights and protection. She stressed on the need of creating awareness among Women Agricultural Workers (WAWs) through mass media and effective role of local governments in addressing these issues.

The study titled “ The Hands That Feed Us: Struggles of Women Agricultural Workers in Pakistan” was conducted by AwazCDS-Pakistan in collaboration with Forum Asia and Bread for the World in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic.

Chief Executive AwazCDS-Pakistan Zia-ur-Rehman highlighted in his address that women agricultural workers (WAWs) often earn less than 50 percent of men wages. WAWs traditionally face malnutrition, discrimination, violence, and ill-treatment by their partners, including exploitation and sexual harassment. Most of them are married in early age and forced to work in fields on behalf of in-law families as bonded laborers.

Highlighting the need to carry out this study, Mr. Rehman said that “There are several women empowerment studies but limited research is available on the measurement of empowerment in the agricultural context. Therefore, it was decided to carry out a study to assess, identify and articulate the contributing factors associated with socio-economic, legal, gender and political empowerment of Women Agriculture Workers (WAW) in Sindh and Punjab Provinces of Pakistan”
The event centered a panel discussion moderated by Zia-ur-Rehman and Maryam Amjad, Program Manager AwazCDS-Pakistan about the issues brought up within the study. The speakers included Dr. Shahida Rehmani, Chairperson Women Parliamentary Caucus, Ms. Shandana Gulzar, Ex-Convener Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Chairperson Common Wealth Women Parliamentary Forum, Ms. Mardiya Sultana Member, National Commission for Status of Women, Ms. Mahwish Afridi, Head of SDG Program, Hashoo Foundation.

Mr. Chaundry Imtiaz Ahmed, Director Agriculture Rahim Yar Khan, Ms. Sameena Nazeer, Executive Director PODA, Aftab Alam Khan, Chief Executive Resilient Future International threw light on the situation of rural women rights and how they are deprived of their basic rights.

The study findings suggested appropriate measures and recommendations to address identified policy and practice level gaps. The study findings and recommendations also highlight the WAWs right to work, right to safe and secure working conditions, rights of assembly and association, right to social security and right to a healthy environment.

Shandana Gulzar, Ex-Convener Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Chairperson Common Wealth Women Parliamentary Forum said WAW rights are not an issue of social welfare, it is about basic human rights. She threw light on the situation of rural women rights and how they are deprived of their basic rights.
Mahwish Afridi, Head of SDG Program, Hashoo Foundation said that there is a need to empower women agricultural workers by imparting them with required technical skills to make linkages with the market. They should be aware of their rights and the facilities to acquire and utilize microfinance.

Maryam Amjad, Program Manager AwazCDS Pakistan shared the method, findings and recommendations from the study. She recommended that provincial ministries, district departments, UN and Trade Unions must be involved in ensuring WAW rights by building their capacities and raising their awareness. In the Mr. Debendra Adhikari Head of South Asia Program Forum Asia thanked the Participants for their great contributions.

NADRA launches Week Long Campaign for Minorities Registration 4.43 million interfaith people have been issued legal identity: Tariq Malik

Islamabad (Muhammad Yasir) Chairman NADRA Tariq Malik held a consultative session with an interfaith delegation led by Senator Kamran Michael here at NADRA Headquarter, Islamabad. Senator Gurdeep Singh, Senator Danesh Kumar, Senator Anwar Lal Dean, Senator Krishna Bai, MNA Amir Naveed Jeeva and MPA Shakeel Marcus Khokhar were also present during the consultative session. The Interfaith delegation presented the problems faced by their communities with regard to the acquisition of legal identity. While addressing the delegation, Mr. Tariq Malik, Chairman NADRA, reaffirmed that the rights of persons belonging to a national, ethnic, religious or linguistic minority are as important as the rights of any other citizens of Pakistan. He said, “Interfaith people in Pakistan contribute to the political and social stability, development and prosperity of the state and are considered significant components in maintaining peace and stability in the society.” We are all equal citizens of this country and we all have equal rights. Article 20 of the Constitution of Pakistan gives freedom to all citizens to practice their own religion and to run their own religious institutions, Mr. Malik added. He said, “NADRA being the custodian of identity of citizens of Pakistan is fully aware of its responsibility and gives priority to the registration of minorities. In this regard, we are launching a special registration campaign titled “Identity Empowerment” to speed up the registration of minorities.” Chairman NADRA informed the delegation that NADRA had so far registered 4.43 million persons belonging to minority communities including Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and other citizens belonging to other religions. It is pertinent to mention that the purpose of the consultative session and the focused campaign is to create awareness amongst minority communities to obtain Identity as it enables them to exercise their social, economic and political rights. While launching the week-long campaign of minority registration, Mr. Tariq Malik said that after assuming the charge as Chairman of the Authority an year ago he immediately took holistic measures and dismantled barriers that hampered the registration of people from other religions. He said he created the Inclusive Registration Department in this regard so that no individual could be left behind. With regard to registering the unregistered persons of interfaith, Chairman NADRA announced that in order to facilitate minority groups issuance of identity cards for the first time will be free of cost. He further announced that the marriage can be registered without nikah nama if the spouse provides biometric attestation and divorce can be registered with NADRA on the basis of an affidavit to facilitate members of minority communities. He said that NADRA has started a helpline to seek help and guidance regarding NADRA policy and procedures and said that they will integrate NADRA helpline with the Ministry of Human Rights helpline. He announced a special counter and preferential treatment at NADRA registration centres to facilitate people of different religions.